Marine Mammal Monitoring Begins: Volunteers Needed

With the renovation of our harbor seal exhibit officially underway, the timing is just right for a complementary project devoted to marine mammals in the wild. We’re happy to announce the launch of our Marine Mammal Monitoring project, and you’re invited to volunteer!

Developed to protect local marine mammals during construction of the exhibit—and to contribute to an understanding of the marine mammals found in Elliott Bay—the project will deploy volunteer “Marine Mammal Monitors” to five sites around Elliott Bay and on Bainbridge Island from mid-October through early December.

Using equipment provided by the Aquarium, volunteers will scan the Sound for the presence of marine mammals, record their findings and immediately report any sightings of species protected by the Endangered Species Act to the Aquarium.

We estimate that we’ll need approximately 100 volunteers to ensure the success of the project. Shifts are available Monday–Friday, 8am–noon and noon–4pm at the following sites: the Seattle Aquarium, Alki Beach Park and Discovery Park in Seattle; and Rockaway Beach Park and the intersection of Toe Jam Hill Road NE and NE South Beach Drive on Bainbridge Island. Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of one regular shift per week for the duration of the project.

Interested in volunteering? Click here for more information. If you’re unable to volunteer but know of organizations or individuals who may be, please share this information with them!